According to Foreign Office spokesman, Pakistan conveyed serious concerns in separate letters to the UN Security Council and the Security Council President in the context of Indian efforts to introduce a controversial “Geospatial Information Regulation Bill” in its Parliament.

He said the official map of India depicted the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India which was factually incorrect and legally untenable.

The spokesman said that through the passage of this Bill, the Indian government would penalise the individuals and organisations who depict Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory.

The letters called upon the world body to urge India to stop such acts that violates international law.

Pakistan has also urged the international community and the United Nations to fulfil their commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir by holding an independent and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices.

Hours later, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup claimed in New Delhi the proposed Bill was an “entirely internal legislative matter of India since the whole of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.”

“Pakistan or any other party has no locus standi in the matter,” he said.

Swarup added the Indian government “firmly rejects Pakistan’s repeated and increasing attempts to impose on the international community matters that India has always been open to address bilaterally with Pakistan.”